On July 17, a Houston County jury delivered a guilty verdict in the case of Spencer Bentley Brooks, a 32-year-old man accused of murdering his mother, Lisa Brooks, and setting her house ablaze in early 2021. Brooks was convicted of various charges including Malice Murder, Felony Murder, aggravated assault, and Arson 1st Degree, as reported by FOX5 Atlanta. This conviction could lead to a life sentence without the chance of parole, though his sentencing is yet to be scheduled.
The incident in question occurred on January 10, 2021, when fire and police departments responded to a fire at 343 Clairmont Drive, where they subsequently discovered the body of Lisa Brooks, as noted by WGXA. An autopsy confirmed that she had been strangled before the fire began, and she also sustained severe fourth-degree burns. Warner Robins Fire Department's investigation identified five separate start points for the fires, one notably near the victim's body.
During the investigation, details emerged that on the evening before the fire, Brooks had exhibited disturbing behavior. Two individuals visiting the residence testified that upon leaving, Brooks expressed a desire to accompany them and hinted at an intention to burn down the house. Furthermore, neighbors claimed they encountered Brooks smelling strongly of diesel and behaving erratically, which, according to FOX5 Atlanta, occurred around 1 a.m., only hours before the fire was reported.
While the authorities worked to extinguish, the fire neighbors alerted Brooks, who then fled to another nearby residence. This fact was uncovered through testimonies stating that he made peculiar comments about appearing in a murder mystery TV show, and even sought help in fabricating an alibi. Police apprehended him the following day, and among the evidence collected were letters in which Lisa Brooks expressed a deep fear of her son, hinting at their tumultuous relationship marred by financial strains.
The prosecution's case benefited heavily from the combined efforts of local law enforcement and forensic teams. Houston County District Attorney Carolyn Kendall lauded the collaboration between the Warner Robins Fire Department, Warner Robins Police Department, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Division of Forensic Sciences in securing the conviction, offering some resolution to the victim's grieving family. Brooks, already on probation for prior felony cases and recently paroled before the murder, now awaits his final sentencing.
